Thanksgiving is one of the most cherished holidays in the United States, celebrated with feasts, family gatherings, and traditions that bring people together in a spirit of gratitude and reflection. Yet, despite its popularity, the origins of Thanksgiving are far more complex and nuanced than the simple tale of Pilgrims and Native Americans peacefully sharing a meal. For many, Thanksgiving represents unity, resilience, and gratitude, while for others, it is a reminder of colonialism, displacement, and the erasure of Indigenous cultures. Its history is intertwined with religion, politics, mythology, and evolving cultural values, making it one of the most significant—and often debated—holidays in American culture.
While the modern image of Thanksgiving is steeped in tradition, including turkey dinners, parades, and football, its roots extend far deeper into both Native American practices and European harvest festivals. The journey of Thanksgiving from a localized celebration to a national holiday reflects the broader narrative of American history, including its ideals and contradictions. In this article, we will explore the rich and multifaceted history of Thanksgiving, examining its historical origins, its evolution into a national tradition, and the controversies that continue to surround it. By taking a closer look at its past and present, we can better understand its cultural significance and the ways it has shaped—and been shaped by—the American experience.
The Historical Foundations of Thanksgiving
1. The 1621 Harvest Feast: Separating Fact from Myth
The story of the “First Thanksgiving,” celebrated in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people, is often regarded as the cornerstone of Thanksgiving’s origins. According to popular accounts, the Pilgrims, having survived a brutal winter and harvested their first successful crop in the New World, invited the Wampanoag to join them in a three-day feast. This event, often depicted as a harmonious gathering of settlers and Native Americans, has been romanticized as a symbol of cooperation and goodwill. While this narrative has become deeply ingrained in American culture, the historical reality is far more complex and less idyllic.
The Pilgrims, a group of English Separatists seeking religious freedom, arrived on the Mayflower in 1620 and established Plymouth Colony in what is now Massachusetts. They faced severe hardships during their first winter, with nearly half of their population succumbing to disease and starvation. The Wampanoag people, led by Chief Massasoit, formed an alliance with the settlers, driven by mutual necessity. The Wampanoag, who had suffered their own losses from disease brought by earlier European explorers, saw the Pilgrims as potential allies against rival tribes. They provided the settlers with essential agricultural knowledge, such as how to plant corn and use fish as fertilizer, which contributed to the Pilgrims’ first successful harvest.
Historical records, including the writings of Pilgrim leader William Bradford and colonist Edward Winslow, confirm that a feast took place in the autumn of 1621, attended by 50 surviving Pilgrims and approximately 90 Wampanoag, who brought venison as a contribution. However, this event was not referred to as “Thanksgiving” by the participants. For the Pilgrims, Thanksgiving was a solemn religious observance marked by prayer and fasting, rather than feasting. The 1621 harvest celebration was likely a one-time event, rooted in both gratitude and pragmatism, rather than the beginning of a recurring holiday tradition.
2. Older Traditions of Giving Thanks
The practice of giving thanks is not unique to the Pilgrims or to American history. Indigenous peoples across North America had long held ceremonies to express gratitude for successful harvests, seasonal changes, and other blessings. These traditions often involved communal feasting, storytelling, and rituals that honored the natural world and its cycles. The Wampanoag, for example, celebrated harvests and other milestones with ceremonies that emphasized their spiritual connection to the land.
Similarly, European settlers brought their own traditions of thanksgiving to the New World, often tied to religious observances. In England, harvest festivals were common in rural communities, marked by feasting and the sharing of food. Puritans and other Protestant groups also held days of thanksgiving to express gratitude for specific events, such as military victories, safe arrivals, or deliverance from natural disasters. These occasions were characterized by prayer and reflection rather than festive meals. The blending of these Indigenous and European practices laid the groundwork for the uniquely American concept of Thanksgiving that would emerge centuries later.
The Road to a National Holiday
1. The Role of Sarah Josepha Hale
While Thanksgiving celebrations existed in various forms throughout the colonial and early American periods, it was not until the 19th century that the holiday began to take shape as a national tradition. One of the most influential figures in this transformation was Sarah Josepha Hale, a writer, editor, and advocate often referred to as the “Mother of Thanksgiving.” Hale believed that a national day of gratitude could help unify a divided nation and strengthen family and community bonds. For decades, she used her platform as editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, a popular women’s magazine, to promote the idea of a nationwide Thanksgiving holiday.
Hale’s campaign included publishing Thanksgiving recipes, poems, and editorials, as well as writing letters to politicians and public figures. She argued that a day of national thanksgiving would not only honor the country’s agricultural heritage but also promote moral and spiritual values. Her efforts gained traction during the Civil War, a time when the United States was deeply fractured. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation designating the last Thursday of November as a national day of Thanksgiving, inspired in part by Hale’s advocacy. Lincoln’s proclamation framed the holiday as a time for Americans to reflect on their blessings, even amid the hardships of war, and to seek healing and reconciliation.
2. Thanksgiving in the 20th Century
By the early 20th century, Thanksgiving had become a widely observed tradition, celebrated with family gatherings, communal meals, and public events. The holiday’s association with feasting and gratitude made it a natural fit for the emerging consumer culture of the time. The introduction of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924 added a new layer of spectacle to the holiday, featuring elaborate floats, performances, and the arrival of Santa Claus to mark the start of the Christmas season. The parade quickly became an iconic Thanksgiving tradition, drawing millions of spectators and television viewers each year.
Another hallmark of modern Thanksgiving is football, which became intertwined with the holiday in the early 20th century. The first professional Thanksgiving Day football games were held in the 1920s, and today, the NFL’s Thanksgiving Day games are a major part of the holiday for many Americans. These traditions, along with the emphasis on family and food, have helped Thanksgiving maintain its popularity and cultural relevance, even as its historical narrative has come under scrutiny.
Controversies and Reexaminations
1. The Myth of the “First Thanksgiving”
One of the most enduring controversies surrounding Thanksgiving is the romanticized portrayal of the 1621 feast as a harmonious moment of unity between Pilgrims and Native Americans. This narrative, which has been perpetuated in school curricula, popular culture, and public celebrations, simplifies and distorts the complex history of colonialism. While the 1621 feast was a real event, it was not the beginning of a long-lasting friendship. Relations between settlers and Indigenous peoples were marked by conflict, displacement, and the devastating effects of European diseases, which decimated Native populations.
Many Native American communities view Thanksgiving as a day of mourning rather than celebration, using it as an opportunity to reflect on the losses of land, culture, and lives that accompanied European colonization. Events like the National Day of Mourning, observed annually in Plymouth, Massachusetts, highlight the need for a more inclusive and accurate understanding of Thanksgiving’s history. These efforts challenge the dominant narrative and call for greater recognition of the contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples.
2. Environmental and Ethical Considerations
The modern Thanksgiving feast, with its emphasis on abundance and tradition, has also sparked discussions about sustainability and ethical food practices. The industrial farming methods used to produce the holiday’s staple foods, such as turkey and corn, have significant environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions, habitat destruction, and resource depletion. Additionally, the focus on large, elaborate meals often leads to food waste, raising questions about how Thanksgiving can be celebrated in a more sustainable and responsible manner.
In response to these concerns, many families are embracing alternative approaches, such as sourcing ingredients locally, reducing food waste, and incorporating plant-based dishes into their menus. These efforts reflect a growing awareness of the need to align holiday traditions with values of environmental stewardship and social responsibility, ensuring that Thanksgiving remains meaningful for future generations.
3. Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusivity
Thanksgiving celebrations have also faced criticism for their cultural insensitivity, particularly in the way Indigenous symbols and traditions are incorporated without proper context or respect. School activities that involve dressing up as Pilgrims and Native Americans often perpetuate stereotypes and reinforce misleading narratives about the holiday’s history. These practices can trivialize the experiences of Indigenous peoples and contribute to their erasure from the national consciousness.
To address these issues, educators and community leaders are promoting more inclusive and accurate representations of Thanksgiving. This includes incorporating Indigenous perspectives, teaching about the complexities of colonial history, and fostering a deeper understanding of the holiday’s cultural significance. By embracing these changes, Thanksgiving can become a more inclusive celebration that honors the diversity of American experiences.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving is a holiday that carries deep historical, cultural, and emotional significance. Its origins, rooted in both European and Indigenous traditions, reflect the complex and often contradictory history of the United States. While it has evolved into a celebration of gratitude, family, and togetherness, it also serves as a reminder of the injustices and challenges faced by Native American communities. By reexamining Thanksgiving’s history and addressing its controversies, we can create a more inclusive and meaningful celebration that honors the full spectrum of its legacy.
As we gather around the table each year, Thanksgiving offers an opportunity to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to a future marked by understanding, gratitude, and unity. By embracing its complexities and fostering a spirit of inclusivity, Thanksgiving can continue to inspire connection and appreciation for generations to come.